TAMIU Annual Report 2022

PROFILES IN RESEARCH VIDEO SERIES FEATURES UNIVERSITY FACULTY EFFORTS This Fall, TAMIU launched a dynamic, compelling video series highlighting the research efforts of University faculty members. Dubbed “Profiles in Research,” each video includes a brief interview with a University faculty member who discusses their current research endeavors. The ongoing video series has released two episodes thus far. The first segment features Dr. Cindy Lynn Salazar-Collier, assistant professor of Public Health in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and can be seen at https://go.tamiu.edu/profiles- collier . During the video, Collier discusses her experience with data informatics, her work as a social epidemiologist, and the prevention and management of disease prevention. “Research opportunities are important to TAMIU students, not only to improve their career trajectory and to increase the odds of getting them a good job, but it’s also instrumental and monumental to the field of public health,” said Dr. Salazar-Collier. The second segment features Dr. Arthur D. Soto-Vásquez, assistant professor of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences and is available at https://go.tamiu. edu/profiles-sotovasquez . Throughout the video, Soto- Vásquez discusses his research as a communication scholar, particularly emphasizing social media, political disinformation, and health communication. “When students sometimes hear ‘research,’ they get a little scared, or maybe they have a nervous experience thinking about research papers they had to write in college, but research in Communication is really what you want to make of it,” said Dr. Soto-Vásquez. To view additional video content, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/txamiu TAMIU NAMES FACULTY, COMMUNITY RECIPIENTS AT AWARD CONVOCATION TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Tom Mitchell presented 2022 Awards to University faculty. President Dr. Pablo Arenaz presented the Senator Judith Zaffirini Leadership Medal Award, the Innovador Award, and the University’s annual State of the University. Receiving the University’s Instructional Technology Excellence Award was Dr. Cynthia Piña of the College of Education. The Outstanding Teacher Award was presented to Dr. Lina De la Garza of the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business. The Distinguished Scholar Award was received by Dr. Yong Chen of the Sanchez School of Business. The Distinguished Teacher Award was presented to Dr. Marvin Bennett of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering. The University’s Innovador Award was created in 2019 to recognize an individual or organization making a lasting impact on education in Laredo and the South Texas region. This year’s Awardee was Frank Staggs, a longtime champion of education, students, and teachers. A retired educator, businessman, and rancher, he is most proud of his and late wife Julieta Farias Staggs’s “favorite place,” The Julieta and Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies, an innovative, University-level high school located on the TAMIU campus. The Senator Judith Zaffirini Award for Scholarship and Leadership was presented to Dr. Peter Haruna of the College of Arts & Sciences faculty, and director of the Masters of Public Administration program. Dr. Haruna’s scholarship and leadership are legendary and his impact on his adopted hometown has been significant. 18